PET is a scanning technique that allows scientists and doctors to look at the entire body to study its function and chemical processes.

Professor Dale Bailey (seen next to PM), a medical physicist and honorary staff member in The University of Sydney's School of Physics, was able to spend time with the PM discussing the important role of physics in medicine.

Professor Bailey said, "It was good to be able to show the work we're doing to the Prime Minister and Ms McKew. He was interested in learning about the role physics plays in terms of medical breakthroughs within the health system and the career and research opportunities this area will bring to the next generation of young physicists."

One such medical physicist is Dr Kathy Willowson, whose PhD supervisors were Professor Bailey and Head of the School of Physics, Professor Clive Baldock and who is now employed as a postdoc in the School while still based at RNS.

"Having only recently completed her PhD Kathy is already taking part in groundbreaking research, which includes the treatment of liver cancer," says Professor Bailey adding, "Students like Kathy often bring with them a fresh way of looking at things which can lead to new ideas being more fully explored."